Conference Sessions
Opening: Founders + Keynote
The conference will kick off with a powerful interactive conversation led by the founders of Black Mental Wellness and a leader within the mental health field as our keynote speaker focuses on the theme "Reclaiming Our Power and Protecting Our Peace". This year, we will honor the rich history of healing within the Black community, acknowledging the strength that has carried us through the past, recognizing the present challenges we face, and envisioning a future where mental health is rooted in healing, wellness, and peace.
Sister to Sister. Black Women and Mental Health Panel Discussion
Black women often carry the weight of multiple identities and roles, from caregivers to community leaders, and face distinct mental health challenges due to systemic oppression, racial trauma, and gendered expectations. This session will center the experiences of Black women and provide a safe space for sharing, healing, and empowerment. Attendees will engage in conversation on the importance of self-care, community support, and mental health advocacy, with an emphasis on creating sustainable practices for mental wellness.
Breakout Session 2: Social Media and Media Impact on Mental Health
Social media plays a central role in shaping how we view ourselves and our communities. This breakout session will explore the profound impact of social media and traditional media on mental health, and the ways in which media can both support and challenge our ability to care for ourselves. Experts will discuss the positives and pitfalls of media, focusing on the effects of representation, comparison, and digital activism. Attendees will gain insights on how to cultivate a healthy relationship with media, how to navigate media mindfully, set healthy boundaries, and foster a digital environment that prioritizes mental wellness.
Brother to Brother: Black Men and Mental Health Panel Discussion
In this session, we will explore the unique mental health challenges that Black men face, including the pressures of masculinity, societal expectations, and systemic barriers. This discussion will focus on strategies for healing, strengthening mental resilience, and creating supportive spaces for Black men to address their mental wellness. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a candid, open conversation about breaking down mental health stigmas and fostering brotherhood in healing.
Roundtable 1: LGBTQ+
This roundtable discussion will focus on the mental health experiences of Black LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing the unique challenges of intersectionality, discrimination, and the impact of societal pressures on mental wellness. Participants will explore how cultural attitudes, systemic marginalization, and the need for inclusive mental health care shape the lived experiences of Black LGBTQ+ individuals. The session will highlight community-driven approaches to healing and advocacy for LGBTQ+ mental health support.
Closing. Lived Experiences Panel Discussion
The conference will close with a powerful panel featuring individuals who have lived experience with mental health challenges and triumphs. These speakers will share their personal journeys of healing, resilience, and reclaiming their power. The panel will serve as a reminder of the strength within our community and will inspire all attendees to continue their own journeys of mental wellness and healing.
Breakout Session 1: Healing Circle
This session will provide a transformative space for participants to engage in a healing circle. Through reflection, storytelling, and collective healing, attendees will acknowledge the strength of our ancestors who cultivated community, found joy even in times of struggle, and laid the foundation for our resilience today. As we navigate the current political and social climate, this healing circle will explore: How are we impacted? How do we care for ourselves and our communities? And most importantly, how do we continue to thrive? This is a space for healing, for visioning, and for reclaiming joy—together.
Roundtable 2: Self-Care for Helping Professionals
Helping professionals, especially those working with marginalized communities, often experience burnout and secondary trauma. This roundtable will focus on the unique challenges faced by behavioral health professionals and caregivers in the Black community. Strategies for sustainable self-care, creating boundaries, and fostering resilience will be discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of community support and peer connections in preventing burnout.